To Kill a Bully

It’s Freaky Friday, and we’re due to talk about true crime. Bizarre crimes fascinate the public. Books get written about them. Documentaries are made. Movies sensationalize the details and give the involved parties beauty makeovers.

Today, we’re going to talk about the 1993 murder of Bobby Kent. It has had the full Hollywood treatment for a reason. The crime was brutal. The murderers weren’t much more than kids. The reason they did it was oddly believable…though not necessarily justifiable.

Bobby Kent was twenty years old in 1993. He lived in Hollywood, Florida. Bobby was athletic and charming. His parents were successful and had plans to help Bobby achieve success once he graduated college.

It all ended for him one hot Florida night. Seven kids bludgeoned and stabbed Bobby Kent to death July 15, 1993. They dumped his body in the swamp.

The kicker? Bobby Kent was not murdered by strangers. He was murdered by kids he knew. One of them was his childhood best friend. Another was an ex-girlfriend.

The murderers became known as the Broward County Seven. Because so many people were involved, here’s the cast list for the Broward County Seven:

Heather Swallers — A friend of Ali Willis who got caught up in the murder.

These seven people armed themselves with a lead pipe, two knives, and a baseball bat. They lured Bobby to a remote lake near Weston. Bobby believed he might have sex with Ali Willis, an ex-girlfriend.

The real Ali Willis. She was portrayed by Bijou Phillips in the film Bully.

The Broward Seven had different plans for Bobby Kent. Donny Semenec stabbed Bobby in the neck with a knife. Bobby begged Marty, his friend, to help him.

Marty stabbed Bobby in the stomach and slit his throat twice. Derek Kaufman hit Bobby in the head with a baseball bat, which was the final blow. Derek Dzvirko helped dump the body.

Heather Swallers was Ali Willis’s friend. She didn’t know much about Bobby Kent, Marty Puccio, or Lisa Connelly prior to a few days before the murder. When the murder started, she ran and hid in Ali Willis’s car.

The real Heather Swallers. Ms. Swallers was portrayed by Kelli Garner in the film Bully.

Their motive? Bobby was a bully.

Was Bobby a bully? Mr. and Mrs. Puccio–Marty’s parents–claimed their son often came home bruised and bleeding after being with Bobby. There were also claims that Bobby used steroids, which can cause physical aggression.

One of the prosecutors at the murder trial compared Bobby Kent to the fictional character Eddie Haskell. In front of parents, Bobby put forth one persona. In front of other kids, it was a whole different story.

Another theory is that Bobby and Marty were involved in gang activity and that the Bobby’s murder was gang related. This website goes into more detail on that theory.

Gang activity or no, Bobby Kent and Marty Puccio were definitely up to some odd stuff…including making homosexual porn movies. They convinced a local man named Harry Suiter to perform in their production, which was called Rough Boys. Due to the content, none of the local porn shops were interested.

[The content of Rough Boys consisted of Mr. Suiter dancing naked and playing with a dildo.]

The real Lisa Connelly. Ms. Connelly was portrayed by Rachel Miner in the film Bully.

The following is the most commonly believed theory about the murder.

Marty’s girlfriend, Lisa Connelly, was pregnant with Marty’s child. She didn’t like how much time the father of her unborn child spent with his good buddy Bobby Kent. She talked her best friend Ali Willis (AKA Alice Slay) into going out with Bobby. Ali claimed Kent was abusive to her and cut off the relationship.

At this point, Lisa Connelly instigated discussions about getting rid of Bobby Kent permanently. On July 13, 1993, Ali Willis brought her boyfriend Donny Semenec and her friend Heather Swallers to talk with Lisa about killing Bobby.

Lisa contacted Derek Kaufman and asked him to get her a gun. He was unable to get a gun that fast, so the plan with the lead pipe, the knives, and the baseball bat formed.

The night of the murder, the Broward County Seven met in the alley behind Marty’s home. Marty wore a black trench coat over a white T-shirt and black jeans. He had a red bandana tied Ninja-style around his head.

The real Donald Semenec. Michael Pitt portrayed Mr. Semenec in the film Bully.

On July 15, 1993, in the wee hours of the morning, the plan was carried out. Bobby was murdered, and Broward County Seven was born.

Marty Puccio was convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy to commit murder. He was sentenced to the death penalty. In 1997, through appeals, his sentence was lowered to life in prison.

Lisa Connelly was convicted of second degree murder and conspiracy. She was sentenced to life and five years imprisonment. This sentence was appealed and reduced to twenty-two years. She was released on parole in 2004.

Ali Willis (AKA Alice Slay) was convicted of second degree murder and conspiracy. She was sentenced to forty years in prison. Her sentence was appealed and reduced to seventeen years in prison. She was released in 2001 and is on community supervision for forty years.

Donny Semenec was convicted of second degree murder and conspiracy. He was sentenced to life and fifteen years imprisonment.

Derek Kaufman was convicted of first degree murder and conspiracy. He was sentenced to life and thirty years imprisonment.

The real Derek Dzvirko. Mr. Dzvirko was portrayed by Daniel Franzese in the film Bully.

Derek Dzvirko testified in exchange for a plea bargain. He was convicted of second degree murder and conspiracy. Dzvirko was sentenced to eleven years imprisonment. He was released in 1999.

Heather Swallers testified in exchange for a reduced sentence. She was convicted of second degree murder and conspiracy. Ms. Swallers was sentenced to seven years imprisonment. She was released in 1998.

It didn’t take long for the entertainment industry to embrace the story. Jim Schutze wrote a book about Bobby’s murder in 1998.

2001 was a big year for the Bobby Kent story. A & E made a documentary called Payback for a Bully. The inimitable Larry Clark made a feature film about the crime called Bully. It starred Brad Renfo, Nick Stahl, Bijou Philips, and Rachel Miner.

Update 3/11/12

Not long after I wrote this post, the real Ali Willis replied with this:

You are all way off on the truth. Dont believe whatever you read. Ali

I like to make these blogs as informative and truthful as I am able. Thus, I emailed Ali–who was very nice. Much of her dispute dealt with the movie–and probably the book, too, as they are very similar. Hence, the placement of this update.

Ali said that the drug use portrayed in the movie was exaggerated. There was never a glovebox full of LSD in her car. The night of the murder, nobody was intoxicated.

The Hollywood version of Ali Willis was a promiscuous young woman. Ali says that was not the case at all. She was married to her first child’s father–he was not a one night stand–and they were divorced at the time of the murder.

Ali said she and Lisa Connelly most certainly did not meet Marty and Bobby at a deli and then go do drugs and have sex with them. Marty and Lisa had been dating for about a year when Lisa introduced Ali to Bobby.

Ali has moved on with her life and has been married to the same man for the past ten years. They have three children. She seems to be doing very well. I thank her for sharing her experiences with me.

End Update

Watch the trailer:

Eighteen years after Bobby Kent’s murder, Ali Willis spoke out about her part in the murder. Click here to check it out. This is worth the click. There’s a video and everything.

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52 thoughts on “To Kill a Bully”

Shocking and chilling, Catie. I think we’ll never really know the motivation behind some crimes, but at the root of every violent crime there are deeply wounded individuals who have found no other way to deal with their pain than to lash out at others. I’m saddened by this reality.

It is a chilling, sad story. Eight lives were ruined in one night. I think everybody has some kind of potential. It makes me sad when such young people do something so serious that it affects the rest of their lives. The loss of a life connected with that is even sadder. Can you imagine how Bobby Kent’s family felt? Like I said, it’s such an odd story.

I’ve sort of wondered if it wasn’t a bunch of kids showing off for one another. Then, things went too far, and it was done. Also, certain types of people feed off each other. I’m sure that was at play. Glad you enjoyed the post. Thanks for stopping by.

I don’t think we’ll ever know the truth. Like you, I think there has to be more to the story. What’s interesting is the group dynamic; these kids got together and did something none of them would have had the guts to do on their own. Was Lisa Connelly the ringleader? If so, she was a great manipulator. Sad as it is, this is a really fascinating case of control and group dynamics.

From what I was able to understand, Lisa Connelly instigated the whole thing. She was the ringleader. Without her, the idea might have faded away. Of course, Lisa claims she wasn’t the ringleader. But who would admit to something like that?

You’re right. Alone, none of the Broward County Seven would have acted. If Bobby Kent was physically abusing Marty Puccio, it had gone on for years without Marty doing anything. I think the group started griping and egging each other on, and it escalated from there.

I find group crimes like these more disturbing. All of them went along at some level. Why didn’t somebody in seven people have the internal conscience and the external confidence to speak up and stop this heinous crime? Clearly, this bully deserved a comeuppance, but not murder. It’s also a reminder of the permanent impact that a terrible decision made in a few moments can have. There were 8 people involved whose lives were ruined, but their families as well. What a shame. Once again, well-researched and presented, Catie.

Group crimes are disturbing. No matter what each of them did during the commission of the crime, they were all in on the conspiracy to commit it. It took four days for one of them to confess to police.

You’re also right about the ripple effect something like this creates. The Kent family were victims of this crime. No matter how aggressive and mean Bobby Kent was, he was theirs. When a loved one meets an end like that, it hits hard. The families of the murderers were also victims of the crime. No telling what it cost them financially and emotionally. Can you imagine?

In his Travis McGee series, John D. MacDonald once said the average IQ of a group diminishes in proportion to the square of the number oe people in the group. Apparently this group exhibited an IQ 1/49 the size of their average individual IQs.

I think you’re right, Catie. There’s a story there somewhere we’ll never know. I do think that regardless of the backstory, the murderers got what they had coming. I’m not one to let bullying go, so if Bobby really was a bully I’m not saying someone shouldn’t have taken action. But not THIS kind of action – instead of putting a bully in his place they did some even more evil than bullying in ending a life. “Groupthink” is such a scary thing. Another awesome Freaky Friday!

Groupthink is odd. You get a group of people together, and they’re capable of both great and unthinkable things. Unfortunately, we remember the unthinkable things better. While I was researching this post, I ran across a quote from the girl who hid in the car during the murder. She was the one who didn’t know the Bobby Kent until a couple of days before the murder. She said something to the effect of [Bobby Kent] got what he deserved. There’s group think for you.

It is amazing. And it’s amazing how the “right” (or wrong) people seem to find each other. When you get the right group dynamic, people sort of feed off each other. They’ll do anything–both good and bad. This case, unfortunately, was an example of the bad.

I am appalled at the end result of this horrific murder. Most of the people involved are already out of jail. I think this says “everything” about our legal system. We are all aware of people who stay in jail for years and years for much less grievous crimes. Sickening.

I was surprised to see they were mostly out of jail, too. Even more surprising was the fact that three of the sentences had been reduced to lesser sentences through appeal. I never realized that many people were able to get their sentences reduced through appeal. It makes me wonder if something wasn’t wrong with the trial or some other technicality.

Historically, women have rarely been ringleaders of criminal groups, but it seems to be becoming more common. Kristi Koslow, who masterminded her parents’ murders for the inheritance, and Diane Zamora, who made her boyfriend murder a girl he’d had sex with, come to mind.

I just read the wikipedia entry for the Diane Zamora case. It sounds to me like she got caught because she confessed the murder to her roommates at college. Why on earth would you do that? Maybe your theory of people’s IQs lowering when they act in groups has some credence. Sheesh.

Wow, creepy story! And you’re right, I’m sure there’s a lot more to it than we’ll ever know. And LOL to David’s comment about each person in the group having 1/49th the IQ they’d have individually – there’s an angry mob for you!

Jennette, there has to be more to it. If you ever watch the film version of the crime (titled Bully), it seems as though the whole group is stoned to the point of apathy and, possibly, sociopathy. Though I understand that’s possible, I still think there was more to that story than the public knows. I like David’s comment, too.

This is beyond creepy Catie! I think part of the hidden dynamic is what went so terribly wrong in Marty and Bobby’s relationship. Marty’s actions during the killing are way too personal. I am also disturbed like the others at the sentences being cut down and people being out. And how did ringleader Lisa not pull the death penalty? I guess the groupthink doesn’t surprise me as much. I’ve seen way too many instances of that. Great post!

Barbara, I think you’ve hit it. I’ve known submissive beta men before. But I’ve never known anybody to take abuse from someone with whom they were not romantically involved. Or maybe they were romantically involved. Maybe that’s the missing dynamic.

I suspect the sentences were reduced (in part) because none of these people would have acted alone. They all needed each other, I think. to get the job done. If just one of them had said, “This is wrong. Don’t do it,” the plan would have fallen apart. However, you just had the right people all together at the right time.

Echo on Stacy Green’s comments. Peer pressure at it’s best (or in this case, worst.) If I had seen the movie and thought it fiction I would have said “that could never happen in our country.” Just goes to prove that truth, as always, is stranger (and way scarier) than fiction.

Glad you enjoyed it, Jayne. Peer pressure is an amazing thing. Have you ever heard of the Shanda Sharer murder? Basically, four girls torturned and murdered a much younger girl. Many aspects of the case are similar to the Bobby Kent murder.

The whole thing makes me sick- such a waste of life. What I want to know- after spending all this time in jail- are they glad they did it? Was what he did- if he did anything worth losing the rest of their lives over?
Isn’t there a saying about the best revenge is to live a happy life? Maybe they should have tried that. So sad, and so sad for their parents.

Alica, did you watch the video of Ali Willis? I think she was shocked that she was part of such a brutal crime. And I think she was sorry. However, she was the only one of the Broward County Seven who consented to be interviewed. And, like you, I wonder if they ever even realized that the rest of their lives would be over if they got caught. Can you imagine how sad this has been for all the parents?

Wow!!! Very well researched and written blog ma’am! Very chilling that some humans would absolutely have no respect for human life. Everyone does have a purpose even if they were a bully, if that were the true case. True crime is very interesting, and learning the behavior of the criminals is even more interesting. Great Blog!!!

Ditto on the power of group mentality. It’s frightening how it sweeps and molds everyone into one functioning irrational being. Even if they don’t want to participate they’re paralyzed to do anything against it. Scary.

Hi Donna. First off I am so sorry it took me almost 24 hours to approve your comment. It went to spam!! Ugh!!

Anyway, I agree with you about group mentality. Have you ever read The Wave? It was a young adult book I read when I was still in grade school. How about The Chocolate War? Both of those books remind me of what went on with these kids. Again, just amazing what they did and that they all went along with it. Thanks for stopping by.

Frightening that kids could behave without fear or remorse. Their anger got the better of them. My neice, a schoolteacher, began a program with her students to wipe out bullying. They provide a safe place for kids who have been bullied to talk about, get help and feel acknowledged. There should be a program like that in all schools. I don’t think these kids got strong enough sentences. And I am really disappointed in the criminal justice system for allowing them a way to appeal and reduce their sentences. Great post…love your true crime series.

It is a frightening and fascinating case, Marcia. I think you’re right about their anger getting the best of them. That and a combination of mob mentality pushed them to do something they would have been better off not doing.

That school program sounds neat. I am glad someone recognized that bullying does go on and that it really effects kids.

I wish I could have showed Derek a better way…I was one of the older boys Derek grew up with.He always wanted to hang out with us and we never really let him.I began to see him
want to become a popular or known neighborhood kid.He started hanging out later and I seen him around others that looked like they wanted the same “popular” label as him.They were outsiders that never really blended with us.

Hello, I really enjoyed this post. I was wondering whether you have had a chance to write a follow up based on the information provided by Ali as you stated previously in your reply on October 10th 2011?

I find most of your comments disturbing. Like none of you have actually experienced violence or been bullied yourselves. Passing judgement on something that’s clearly not so black and white. Not saying murder is right at all. But this isn’t like a Ted Bundy were clearly here’s a man going around killing and mutilating women. It was a crime of passion, where yes Bobby was a bully.

To go into more, I’m a personal friend of Derek Dzvirko and have talked with Ali and very briefly Heather. Derek and I know each other the most. We’ve had a good amount of chats. The truth is Derek understands what happened was wrong, but has sympathy for both Marty’s abuse and the death of Bobby. That being said, he has moved on and forgiven himself. He also told me something’s that isn’t told, from what he remembers, as well as what he learned from the judicial system. I will only say that the belief that Marty and Bobby having a homosexual relationship isn’t far off. That and Bobby lived far too long after the Julius Carsar like hit. Also the only reason it got so much attention was that it was done in the suburbs by white kids. Number 1 story in Florida of that year and number 3 in America. That’s crazy
What both Derek and I share is that weve been both misrepresented in the media wrongly. Not going to say what happened to me (Derek’s is worse), but him and I discussed how funny broken telephone the media gets. We both take responsibility but the truth is were not bad boys with some maniacal drug induced streaks. Ali is as sweet as they come and looking to confront her past with positive influence on others. I can’t speak for the others. The story spoke to me and therefore I repsonded with respect and understanding.

Nothing is ever black and white. There are always several stories within every story.

When I wrote this post–some months ago–it surprised me that nobody talked about bullying. The first time I became aware of this case, I was shocked that the group actually went through with murdering Bobby Kent. But I understood the motive. Being a bully’s victim–especially when you’re young–seems inescapable.

It was obvious–to me–that the people who murdered Bobby Kent were not psychopaths or serial killers. They were kids who got in a situation that went too far. I doubt any of them would have acted alone. What did and does fascinate me about this case is the power of a group of people to influence one another. Every time I think about this case, I wonder if any of this kids involved in the murder thought, “Oh no. What did I just do?” as soon as it was over.

There is no doubt in my mind that the people who murdered Bobby Kent were victims of his bullying and physical abuse. However, because Bobby’s killing was not carried out in self-defense, their actions are shocking to most people. I think that shock is what elicits the response you saw here. If Bobby had been killed while he was carrying out his bullying, it would have been considered self-defense. I doubt the case would have become so sensationalized. But, as you said, the killing was Julius Cesar-esque.

Everybody who comes here and wants to comment is welcome. I like to see genuine responses because the way the human mind works is of great interest to me. In general, I try to see everyone’s point and try to make them feel welcome. So thanks for stopping by. I enjoyed reading your comment.

This is one true crime that stuck with me long after I put the book down.It is one of the most disturbing and mind boggling things I have ever come across.How seven people could get together and murder one of their friends and not tell anyone for 4 days is just chilling..
I dont care what Bobby did.He did NOT deserve this.Just stop talking to him if he was such a bully!!
I like to hope at least one of the seven didnt actually think they were really going to murder him that night.
I do believe there was something personal going on with Marty and Bobby.Two normal teenage boys do not make homosexual pornography movies!!The viciousness of Marty’s attack on Bobby was also just too personal.I think the missing link is definately their real relationship with each other.
In the end I feel most for Bobby’s parents who have lost their only child and wish just one of the seven had put a stop to this all before it was too late.

I appreciate you sharing your thoughts, Mandy. I agree with you that this crime was extremely disturbing. It stuck with me for a long time, and I’m very interested in it–as you can see from this blog post. Thanks for taking the time to comment.

I am 37 years old,the same age of many in this case. I remember when this hit the news back in 1993. I was often bullied in school and I remember thinking what it would take to get those nasty girls to stop and leave me alone. Parental intervention did not work, Teacher and Principal involvement did not work. Trying to avoid them, using a different route to school, to class to the bus did not work. Trying to stand up for myself made it worse … nothing seemed to work. I often thought about death …. mine and my bullies.

Once I had a kid throw a lit match in my hair. I had my hair cut by another kid. I was followed home and pushed and punched for 5 blocks. I was laughed at, spit at and even had my clothes ripped. All this because I was 30 lbs over weight, poor and shy. I was just as pretty as the other girls, just did not have the designer clothes nor live in the right neighborhood.

I obviously survived it, and never took such a violent and permanent stance towards my tormentors as those in this case did, however I can sort of understand how it led to their actions. I by no means am saying taking the life of another human is acceptable but I do understand the cause and the emotions behind it.

As a society we have seen school shootings because of bullying. Kids pull together and murder the bully, and in the last two years we have seen numerous kids kill them selves because of the bullying the have received. When are we as a society going to stop saying kids will be kids, that bullying doesnt hurt, that it is just a part of being a child? When will the deaths of the bullies and their targets be enough? When will we stand up and fight for changes?

I am a mother now of two beautiful boys, ages 10 and 11. I have preached to them about not being bullies, and to tell an adult if they see someone being bullied. Lately my oldest son has become the target of some neighborhood boys who are one to two years older than him. Their parents do not seem to care, the school wont get involved because it happens at the bus stop before and after school hours, so I am stuck taking time off from work so that I can be the watcher and protector of my child before and after school. When will enough be enough???

We as a society truly need to take a serious look at bullying and find a solution to ensure we protect our children and end this senseless violence, so that it stops escalating to more devastating cases like this one and others we read about in the media.

Ive seen the movie only.what gets me is marty and lisa have a baby where us the baby?didnt they think of the child and ali already had one its like were are there mibds they should be parents not killers.and getting there senteces lowered how did they get out.

Lisas baby is 18 now and just graduated high school. She still visits Mart (her father) on a regular basis. Lisa is also married and is under a new name and Ali is also under a new identity. They are both doing well financially and have created great lives for themselves.

I was a friend of Bobby’s sister, and I can tell you that Bobby protected Marty from bullies. He certainly did not bully him. They were best friends for 13 years when Marty killed him. I am floored that Lisa did not serve more time as she was the planner for this crime. This destroyed the Kent family, and anyone who knew Bobby. I was only two years older than Bobby, hardly an adult, and he was always nice and polite to me. This Eddie Haskel stuff is complete BS. The movie and book were full of lies. Bobby was not here to speak up for himself. It was obviously told through Marty’s point of view, and he is a sociopath.

I’ve had a lot of different types of comments on this post. I’ve “met” some of the people involved in the commission of the murder. Now, I’m “meeting” someone who knew Bobby. I have no doubt that Bobby’s murder destroyed the Kent family. When I was writing this post, I thought a lot about the fact that Bobby–whether or not he was guilty of the things his murderers said he was–belonged to a family, and that family loved him. That Bobby met the end he did must have horrified those who loved him. I feel a great deal of sympathy toward them.

According to others who grew up with him, Marty used to torture and kill stray cats. He IS a sociopath. I never knew the rest of the dirt bags who did this, but I knew Marty. He was always an odd, creapy kid. Also, the way Alli describes being “raped” in the Kent’s guest room is complete BS. Anyone who has been to that house knows the layout, and knows that it would have involved hopping a fences and fending off unfriendly dobermans. Also, the guest room shared a wall with the parents bedroom — hardly a good spot for “rape.”

Catie Rhodes is the author of the Peri Jean Mace Paranormal Mysteries. She also enjoys writing horror fiction. Catie is that kid your mother warned you about, the one who cusses and never washes her hands after petting the dog.